Originally posted on Michelle Leigh Writes: The holiday season is in full gear. As we have already passed Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Christmas is just around the corner. And I have to say that I’m still slightly in disbelief at how quickly its come, yet again. As I get older, I’ve realized something. Time speeds by, each year it gets quicker and quicker. Everything becomes stressful and timed, and we make it more commercial then spiritual and magical like it should be. I remember when I was a kid, I used to get so excited when Christmas was near. It was my favorite time of year. I remember decorating the tree with my family and playing Christmas songs as early as October, sometimes even in the summer time because I was just so infatuated. Now it seems as though no one has time for anything anymore. No time to decorate, or shop, or be festive. Everything is like warp speed and before we even get to Thanksgiving they are already shoving Christmas down our throats. Stores commercialize…

Originally posted on Cookies + Sangria: Guys, listen. It’s Monday. It’s the first day back from a four-day weekend. You stuffed your face with food and then stuffed your ears with Christmas music. We shouldn’t have to be at work right now. But alas, here we are. And I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read this – aka procrastinating your work a bit more. In return, I’m going to stuff your eyes with one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind, Michael B. Jordan. Over the weekend, I saw Creed, the Rocky spin-off movie. If you know me, this may be a somewhat surprising choice for holiday weekend viewing because I usually don’t put sports movies on the top of my list. However, if you do know me, you know I’m a fan of Michael B. Jordan and HBMs in general. On top of that, I kept hearing nothing but good things about Creed, so I caved and went to see it. And let me tell you – I haven’t been able to…

Originally posted on LucieLeannexo: I’ve been really struggling for ideas for lifestyle posts recently, but whilst watching some Disney World vlogs I had a sudden realisation I hadn’t posted about Disney at all really on my blog yet! I’m sure this is the same for most of you, but for me Disney really just symbolises my childhood and family memories in a nutshell. My brother and I were very lucky as my parents always took us to the cinema to watch the Disney films. They also took us on a few family holidays to Disney World in Florida, and Disneyland Paris – of which I have very fond memories. My brother and me, in Disney World back in good old days! In general Disney is one of those things that when I’m feeling sad or fed up, watching a Disney movie will always cheer me up. There’s nothing better than snuggling up to watch a Disney film in my onesie with a hot chocolate. I love the Disney classics but I’ve also learned to love…

Originally posted on Rosie Culture: Losing your innocence is just a side effect of growing up. There’s no one certain thing that causes it. It doesn’t automatically go away when you turn 13 or when you lose your virginity or when you get dumped for the first time. It all varies from person to person, from age to age, from experience to experience. And it fades out slowly. When I was around 11 years old I asked my mom why everyone had cancer all of a sudden. She told me cancer has always been around, I was just realizing it now. That’s a very specific moment when I can remember something changing inside of my brain. Looking back now, can you really pinpoint the moment you stopped being naive and started getting real? Probably not. You have to reach the point in your life when you look back and realize you’ve changed. Because change isn’t something you see until you’re so different you don’t recognize yourself anymore. Your old memories barely belong to you. I’m…

Originally posted on Tara Pook: I usually avoid Times Square like carrots in my shrimp fried rice, but tonight I couldn’t help but stand here for a few minutes. I’ve learned a thing or two from the tourists I rush past. They’re so happy and in the moment, as they marvel at the big lights. It reminds me to be grateful for the opportunity to live and learn in this city. And although this past year has been rather tough, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The patience I’ve gained is not only manifesting itself in waiting for the promises God made to me when I moved here, it is also manifesting itself in the way I’ve shown patience with those around me. Like showing kindness to a tourist struggling with her luggage, or treating a homeless man like he’s not invisible. So I guess I say all of this just to say thanks NYC, for making me a better person. —Tara Pook

Originally posted on MiddleMe: I wanted to share this topic for a very long time even longer than MiddleMe was set up because I had so many people asking me why I chose to move away when I have everything. To give you the context: I was doing extremely well at work, I have a fantastic team who loves me and the feeling is mutual, I have a great bunch of friends and loved ones back home. I’m in a safe country with great career opportunities and growth and I’ll doing pretty well for myself among my peers. I’m staying with my family with all my bills, my housework and my meals all taken care of. I had it all, so why do I move away? Challenges When an opportunity opens itself to me to move to a strange new country, the adventurous side of me couldn’t refuse. I want to push myself to the limits in my career and see how far I can go without the environment I’m familiar with. I want to…